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04/23/2024 06:01 PMPress Release from Westbrook Republican Town Committee
The Westbrook Republican Town Committee (WRTC) has announced John L. Hall III, Kimberly Bratz, and Vista Life Innovations as its 2024 John A. Holbrook Award recipients. The awards will be presented at a dinner event on Wednesday, May 15 at Water’s Edge Resort and Spa. State Senator Heather Somers will provide the keynote presentation, and State Representative Devin Carney will serve as the master of ceremonies. Tickets for the event are available online at westbrookctrepublicans.com.
John L. Hall III has served on the Westbrook Board of Selectmen since 2009 and as the town’s first selectman since 2021. He was elected to the Westbrook Zoning Board of Appeals in 1983 and became chairman in 1985, serving 27 years until 2009. He is a former board member of the Westbrook Foundation, serving two five-year terms, including seven years as the board’s chairman. He is a lifetime member of the Westbrook Historical Society, a member of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Farm Bureau, and the president of the American Milking Devon Cattle Association.
Kimberly Bratz has served as Westbrook’s tax collector since 1998. She has volunteered her time with Westbrook Youth and Family Services, as well as on the Juvenile Review Board. She was co-chairman of the Local Prevention Council and vice chair for the Police Advisory/Traffic Authority Board. She has organized many fundraisers for local civic organizations, as well as residents in need. She created and organized the Drug Take Back initiative, which later became a statewide program. Bratz, along with Richard Kuehlewind, the treasurer of the WRTC, assisted in organizing holiday toy drives for needy families.
Bratz is involved in the organization of the annual Bill’s Seafood Golf Tournament which benefits local high school seniors with scholarships. She proudly spearheads the placement of American flags on the front lawn of Westbrook Town Hall, honoring our veterans every Veterans Day. Bratz is currently the president of the Middlesex County Tax Collector Association and sits on the Education Board for Continuing Education for the Connecticut Collectors. She is a justice of the peace and notary of the public.
Vista Life Innovations is a nationally accredited and recognized non-profit organization, offering an array of post-secondary services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Vista provides services to approximately 200 individuals annually. Founded in 1989, Vista began offering transition services to young adults with disabilities on its main campus in the historic Captain Joseph W. Spencer House in Westbrook. This continues to be the programmatic hub of Vista services.
The John A. Holbrook Award was created in 2001 to recognize Westbrook Republicans who, with honor and dignity, have made a positive contribution to their community. Since then, for the past 24 years, two individuals have been honored at an annual event. In 2015, the Corporate Citizen Award was added to recognize local companies and organizations for their service to Westbrook. The award is named for John A. Holbrook, who served with distinction as first selectman of Westbrook. He was elected to the House of Representatives and the State Senate. During World War II, Holbrook served as a major in the Army and was appointed as the Military Governor of Stuttgart, Germany.